Stamkos (knee) has been placed on injured reserve according to the NHL's official media site.

EDGE Analysis

This is essentially just a formality at this point as we already knew that Stamkos would miss at least the next four months of the season. Tyler Johnson, Valtteri Flippula, and Vladislav Namestnikov will have to step up during the star center's extended absence.

Stamkos (knee) underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to repair the lateral meniscus in his right knee on Thursday, reports the Tampa Bay Lightning.

EDGE Analysis

The knee has two menisci that sit on the top of the tibia and act as shock absorbers. The lateral one is on the outside of the knee and is typically less likely to be injured than the medial one because it doesn't attach to the lateral ligament. Surgery is indicated when meniscus tears are severe and the aim is to preserve as much of the meniscus as possible. Stamkos will undergo a rigorous rehab program and is conservatively expected to miss at least four months, which might get him back on the ice to start the postseason.

Stamkos will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery and is expected to require 4-to-6 months of rehab, TSN's Bob McKenzie reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Stamkos doesn't have a specific return timetable at this juncture, fantasy owners won't have to deal with a nebulous "out indefinitely" injury label on the star pivot. Still, that's no consolation for losing one of the league's best skaters for an extended period of time, possibly even the remainder of the regular season. Stammer had at least one point in 12 of 17 games -- ranking tied for third in the league at 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) -- before getting injured against Detroit on Tuesday. We're likely to see more out of Tyler Johnson on the top line in the wake of this news.

Stamkos is out indefinitely with a lateral meniscus tear.

EDGE Analysis

When Stamkos headed back to Tampa Bay to undergo further evaluation Wednesday, his fantasy owners were hoping the Lightning's medical staff would diagnose the star forward with a minor injury. Unfortunately for Stamkos and his owners, it appears the 26-year-old pivot will likely be out long term with an injury that's reportedly tough to heal from. Tampa Bay's training staff is reportedly still evaluating potential rehab and repair options, which may be why Stamkos has been given the dreaded "indefinite" tag, but this is undoubtedly grim news either way. Tyler Johnson will likely get the first crack at replacing Stamkos on the Lightning's first line, with Valtteri Filppula sliding into Johnson's spot on the team's second line.

Stamkos (knee) is returning to Tampa to undergo further evaluation on a knee injury suffered in Tuesday's win over Detroit, Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Lightning have three games remaining in their current road trip and while Stamkos could rejoin the team, this will almost certainly rule him out Thursday against Buffalo, if not for the entire trip. The center has been off to a blistering pace this season with nine goals and 11 helpers through 17 games, which includes seven power-play points. While there is no replacing the 26-year-old, Tyler Johnson would appear to be the most likely candidate to see an uptick of ice time.

Stamkos left Tuesday's game against the Red Wings with a lower-body injury and will not return, Erik Erlandsson of the Tampa Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Stamkos got tangled up with Gustav Nyquist along the boards in the first period and appeared to tweak his knee in the process. He was able to leave the ice on his own power but did not put any weight on his right leg as he did so. The prolific point scorer tallied his ninth goal on 2:07 of ice time prior to his exit. The Lightning will likely provide more information about the nature of the injury following Tuesday's game.

Stamkos had two power-play assists during Monday's win over the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

2015-16 was Stamkos' worst offensive season -- just 0.83 points per game -- since his rookie year, but everything is going right to start 2016-17. He's up to eight goals, 19 points and 57 shots on net through 16 games and has shown excellent chemistry with Nikita Kucherov. Stamkos appears poised to parlay his hot start into a strong bounce-back campaign.

Stamkos registered a goal, two assists and four shots in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

Stamkos stuffed the stat sheet, opening the scoring on the power play before adding an even strength assist and a power-play helper to spot his team a 3-0 lead. The veteran sniper already has eight goals and 17 points in 14 games. He has scored at least 23 goals in every season, and could come close to doubling that mark this year health permitting.

Stamkos is averaging 3.78 shots through 13 games, ahead of his previous season-high of 3.70.

EDGE Analysis

That's fantastic news for fantasy owners -- an elite skill guy firing a career-high number of shots will surely turn into some sweet production. As it stands, Stamkos leads the Bolts with seven goals and sits second in team scoring with 14 points.

Stamkos picked up a goal and a power-play assist in Tuesday's 6-1 win over the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

Stamkos now has three multi-point outings through the first 10 games and leads the Bolts with seven goals. There has been very little talk about how Stammer dealt with blood clot issues which limited him to one game in the 2016 postseason, though that likely means it's a non-issue at this point. He should be cemented in fantasy lineups abound.